Deception

Plot twists keep ‘Deception’ interesting

20th Century Fox
Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor in"Deception."

If you want to see an excellent, smart, popcorn-munching film, check out Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman in “Deception.”
The intricate plot, the situations, the characters, the actors jell very nicely in this suspense drama. Oh yeah, and there’s lots of sex, too.
Then again, that’s because there’s a sex club thrown into the plot.
McGregor plays Jonathan McQuarry, an accountant who lives, well, an accountant’s life. He’s nice but quiet, and it looks like his days are relatively uneventful.
His job requires him to review the books of various big companies around Manhattan. So every few days, he picks up his laptop and is ushered to the corner office of this or that business.
At an attorney’s office, he meets a guy who calls himself Wyatt Bose, played by Jackman. He’s handsome, he’s flashy, he’s friendly.
They strike up a conversation. They share a joint. They play tennis.
Nerdy McQuarry seems flattered this guy is interested in him.
But soon the film turns darker.
Jackman’s character, as they eat lunch in the park, says he must go to Europe for a time for his law firm.
When they part, they accidentally switch cell phones.
McGregor’s character gets a phone call, which was supposed to go to Bose. It’s a sexy-sounding woman who asks, “Are you free tonight?”
Wyatt’s influence has made McQuarry less inhibited, and he decides to meet the woman in a hotel, where they leave no doubt they have done the deed in any number of positions.
It seems McQuarry has stumbled onto Bose’s membership in a sex club.
With his friend apparently in Europe, he takes advantage of the situation — no lonely accountant nights with TV dinners for him.
This film weaves many different layers.
McQuarry is captivated by a beautiful blonde he sees while getting onto a bus. The woman, played by Michelle Williams, by coincidence turns out to be a member of the sex club, too.
McQuarry is smitten. This girl might be the one. He can’t bring himself to have just sex and lose her forever.
They meet outside the sex club. His life has changed so much since he met the friendly Mr. Bose.
Ah, but is Bose who he says he is? Is the beautiful blonde whom she appears to be?
What started as an interesting film turns compelling, like shivers down the spine.
OK, the ending starts to get a little far-fetched, but the journey to get there is great.
And you have seasoned actors, who certainly know their stuff.
Kudos to Mark Bomback for his screenplay and Marcel Langenegger for his tight directing style.
Sex, suspense, romance, thrills, surprises.
Hey, this film gives you a lot. Don’t be deceived. Rent it.
DECEPTION
• Directed by Marcel Langenegger
• Written by Mark Bomback
• Runtime: 107 minutes
• Rated R for sexual content, language, brief violence and some drug use
• 4 stars out of 5